Avalanche Prospect Kovalenko Could Join Team for Playoff Run
With the trade deadline in the rearview mirror, any changes the Colorado Avalanche wants to make to their roster must be made within the organization. From players returning from IR/LTIR or signed players currently with other teams like the AHL Colorado Eagles or other leagues. More specifically, this player is currently in the KHL and could debut with the Colorado Avalanche once they return to Denver from their four-game road trip.
Nikolai Kovalenko and his team, the Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod in the KHL, were just eliminated in the first round of the 2024 playoffs by SKA in a five-game series, losing 4-1. He is currently signed to his ELC, and with his progress in the KHL, his addition to the team could be a real page-turner for the upcoming playoff run, especially with the number of teams in the West that bought during the trade deadline.
Learning More About Kovalenko
Coming off a 10-goal, 21 assists for 31 points in 33 games season with the Loko-Yunior Yaroslavl in the NMHL (National Junior Hockey League), the Avalanche drafted the left-shot winger with the 171st overall pick in the sixth round of the 2018 NHL Entry Draft. That year was special for Kovalenko, as he was selected for multiple accomplishments like the KHL All-Star Game, MHL All-Star Game, and MHL Forward of the Month in December. He also helped win the MHL Championship for his team while having the most assists in the playoffs. After that season, he would deal with some inconsistent play and bounce around different teams until landing with Torpedo and finding his groove on the right team.
His first season with Torpedo in 2022-23 was a significant breakout year that we haven’t seen from Kovalenko since his draft year in the MHL with Yaroslavl. Entering as an assistant captain with the team, in 56 games, he scored 21 goals and 33 assists for 54 points, including three goals and four assists in ten playoff games. That offseason, he would work with then-general manager Joe Sakic and the Avalanche to sign a two-year ELC, which runs through this season and next.
